Push and pull exercising device



Dec. 9, 1952 s. E. OLMSTEAD PUSH AND FULL EXERCI SING DEVICE Filed Sept. 28, 1949 Patented Dec. 9, 1952 UNITED STATE$ ATENT OFFIE 13 Claims. 1

My invention relates to exercising devices of the type in which a hand grip is grasped by the user and moved back and forth on an elongated rod against a resistive force to exercise and develop the muscles of the body.

An object of my invention is to provide an improved exercising device of this type Which is efficient in use and with which a variety of exercises can be performed covering all of the important muscles of the body.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved exercising device which can be effectively used by persons of diiferent strengths without the necessity of making any preliminary adjustments to regulate the resistive forc that must be overcome by the user when imparting movement to the movable hand grip.

A further object of my invention is to provide an improved exercising device in which a movable hand grip is slidable along an elongated rod and can be manipulated in such a manner that, during the back and forth movement of the hand grip, the resistive force to such movement is always under the control of the user and can be changed instantaneously, thereby always enabling the user to slide the movable hand grip against a resistive force which will promote optimurn benefit without interrupting the steady back and forth movement of the hand grip.

A still further object of my invention is to provide such an improved exercising device which can be pivotally connected to a support to enable the user to perform a Variety of exercises 1 or conditioning the body.

A still further object of my invention is to provide such an improved exercising device and a detachable support therefor arranged to be clamped to the free edge of a door and to which the exercising device may be hinged or pivotally connected to enable a variety of exercises to be performed with the device.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds, and the features of novelty which characterize my invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification.

For a better understanding of my invention, reference may be had to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. 1 illustrates one position of an exercise being performed with an exercising device embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 isanenlarged elevation view of the exercising deviceshown in Fig. ,1;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the movable hand grip shown in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken at line i -4 of .3;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view of the exercising device shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and a detachable support therefor; and

Fig. 6 is a view, partly in section, taken on line 6-5 of Fig. 5.

Referring to the drawing, the exercising device which I have shown embodying my invention includes an elongated rod l0 and a pair of hand grips H and I2. The hand grip II is fixed to the rod H3 adjacent one end thereof and is axially immovable lengthwise of the rod. The hand grip l2 is axially movable along the rod Ill between the fixed hand grip I! and an enlarged end Id provided at the end of the rod opposite to that adjacent the fixed hand grip.

The fixed hand grip H may be formed of any suitable material, such as, for example, rubber or cork, and secured on the rod H) in any suitable manner. In the embodiment illustrated the fixed hand grip H is in the form of an annular sleeve having transverse grooves IS, the intermediate portion of the sleeve being of slightly larger crosssectional area than the extreme end portions so that it can be firmly gripped by one hand of the user.

The movable hand grip i2 is resilient or flexible in character and constructed in such manner that it can be squeezed to bring an inner lining of the hand grip in frictional engagement with the rod iii. In the embodiment shown themovable hand grip [-2 comprises an outer sleeve l5 of annular form within which is disposed friction material ll. The outer sleeve 15, which may be shaped like the fixed hand grip II and provided with transverse grooves l8, desirably is formed of flexible material like soft rubber, for example, so that it can be readily squeezed to compress the friction material ll held therein. Although I do not wish to be limited thereto, the friction material I? may comprise a plurality of layers of suitable fabric which forms a compressible bundle of material capable of being held in good frictional engagement with the rod .l'il when subjected to compressive force. By way .of example, I have found that cotton fabric similar to that used in making pot holders is satisfactory as an inner liner ll for the movable hand grip I 2. Such cotton fabric which is often referred to as terry cloth may be spirally wound within the outer s ee e '6' 9r Sev a i de e d n a r p the fabric may be disposed one upon another.

The e on a ed re in is eare f a suitable material, such as, for example, wood, metal or synthetic resins, which will provide a relatively smooth surface over which the friction material I! can readily slide when not subjected to compressive force, and with which the friction material can be brought into frictional engagement to a degree or extent dependent upon the compressive force to which the friction material is subjected. For example, I have found an elongated hollow brass tube having a reasonably polished outer surface is particularly suitable for use as the friction rod III, because it not only possesses the characteristics just-mentioned but also possesses the further advantages of being relatively light and sturdy and not likely to be injured or damaged when mishandled.

In exercising devices constructed in accordance with the invention I have found that brass tubing, having an outer diameter of about onehalf inch, is quite satisfactory. When the elongated friction rod III is formed of such brass tubing, I preferably employ a length of tubing about 6 /2 feet long, so that the exercising device may be used by persons of all sizes including those having an exceptionally large reach when the arms are fully extended sideways in opposite directions.

The exercising device just described may be employed to perform a group of exercises to develop and Strengthen muscles in many parts of the body. One exercise may be performed in a standing position in which the arms are initially held sideways at shoulder high level and as straght as possible. In such initial position the rod is held in front of the user, the fixed grip II being grasped by the right hand and the movable or slidable grip I2 being grasped by the left hand. as shown in Fig. 1. While the hand grips I I and I2 are grasped by the hands in this manner, the hand grip I2 is moved toward the right by the user and the hand grip I I is moved toward the left, such forward stroke being effected in a manner to cause the arms to move from a straight sideways position to a straight forward position in which the hand grips II and I2 are close to one another. The hand grips I2 and II are then moved as far as possible to the left and right, respectively, such return stroke causing the arms to move back to the initial sideways position, as shown in Fig. 1. The forward and return strokes just described desirably are repeated a number of times. such as twenty times. for example, to complete the exercise.

When the exercise just described is being performed, the movable hand grip I2 is sdueezed by the user during it movement toward and from the fixed hand grip II. Such squeezing action compresses the friction material or inner lining II of the hand grip I2 against the rod I I), and the resulting sliding friction between the rod and friction material produces a braking action which must be overcome bv the user to enable the hand grip I2 to be moved toward and from the fixed hand grip II.

An important advantage of the exercising device of the invention is that the magnitude or degree of the slidin friction between the friction material I! and rod ID is alwavs under the control of the user while the exercise is being performed. When the user finds it difficult to impart sliding movement to the hand grip I2 because it is being squeezed too hard, the extent to which the hand grip is being squeezed can be reduced which in turn reduces the braking action resulting from a decrease in the sliding '4 friction between the friction material I1 and rod III.

In the exercise just described, a force is developed by the user which is applied through the arms to the hand grips II and I2 to move the latter toward and from the former. When the arms are stretched sideways and initial movement is imparted to hand grip I2 to cause the latter to move toward the fixed hand grip I I, the force applied to the movable hand grip I2 includes a component which is perpendicular to the vertical plane passing through the rod I0 and directed forward from the user, and another component which is more or less in such vertical plane and directed toward the fixed hand grip I I. The force applied to the fixed hand grip II also includes a component which is perpendicular to the vertical plane passing through the rod III and another component which is more or less in such vertical plane and directed toward the movable hand grip I2. When movement is initially imparted to the movable hand grip I2 from the outstretched sideways position of the arms, the components of force effective to move the hand grip I2 toward the fixed hand grip II are at a minimum. However, as the arms move from the outstretched sideways position to a straight forward position, the components of force effective to move the hand grips toward one another becomes increasingly greater. This may be referred to as the leverage effect which reaches maximum when the arms extend straight forward in front of the user and gradually diminishes as the arms are moved from such forward position to the outstretched sideways position.

In performing exercises with the exercising device of the invention it is desirable to avoid jerky movements of the hand grip I2, as it is being moved toward and from the fixed hand grip II, and to perform exercises in such a way that a steady and rhythmic back and forth movement of the hand grip I2, to and from the fixed hand grip II, is promoted. This can readily be accomplished by instinctively and automatically changing the squeezing pressure with changes in the leverage effect referred to above. Accordingly, the user can always vary the squeezing pressure on the hand grip I2, when the latter is being moved toward and from the fixed hand grip II, so that the sliding friction between the friction material I! and rod I0 can be increased when the leverage effect becomes greater and reduced when the leverage effect becomes smaller. When the hand grip I2 is being moved toward and from the fixed hand grip II, the former is always being subjected to squeezing pressure, and the effort thus required on the part of the user to effect movement of the sliding hand grip I2, while the latter is being squeezed, will develop and strengthen those muscles which come into play in performing the exercise. Since the sliding friction resulting from squeezing the movable hand grip I2 is always under the control of the user and can be varied for each increment of movement of the hand grip I2 relative to the rod ID, a rhythmic back and forth movement of the hand grip I2 can readily be effected in which the resistance or braking effect can be automatically increased or decreased (auto-resistive) at any instant while the exercise is being performed.

The exercise described above is particularly useful for developing the muscles of the chest, shoulders and upper back of the user. This exercise constitutes one of a series or group of auto-resistive exercises that can be performed with the exercising-device of the invention. Another exercise in this group can be performed in .astandin position in which the arms are held straight upwardly with hand grip H grasped by .one hand and hand -;rip -l2 grasped by the other hand. The hands are moved toward one another and then as :far apart as possible. As the arms move from the straight upward position to an outstretched sideways position, the rod H! is allowed to move downwardly to a position behind :the neck :of the user. The arms are then moved upwardly to the overhead position to bring the hand grips II and 12 in close proximity to one another .on the rod it. During the downward and upward movement of the arms thehand grip I2 is squeezed sufficiently to compress the friction material -l i and produce sliding j-f-riction between the friction material and rod It. The second exercise just described is particularly useful for developing the muscles of the upper part of the chest under the arms and shoulders of the user. As in the first exercise described above, the sliding friction between the friction lining I? and rod it is always under the control of the user and .can be varied for each increment-of movement of the hand grip I2 relative to the rod It. The hand grip i2 desirably is squeezed to such an extent that the parts of the user being benefited from the exercise will tire slightly after repeating the downward and upward strokes of the .arms a number of times, such as twenty times, for example.

A third exercise in the group being described can be performed in a standing position in which the arms are held straight downwardly and close together, the hand grip It being grasped by one hand .and the hand grip l2 being grasped by the other hand so as to hold the bar It against the front of the thighs. The hands are moved from one another to bring the arms to an outstretched sideways position :at shoulder high level, and .upon the return stroke the arms are returned to the initial downward position. The third exercise just described strengthens and develops the muscles of the top of the shoulder and lower part of the front of the chest; and, as in the exercises previously described, the hand grip l2 desirably is squeezed sufficiently so that the muscles of these parts of the user will tire slightly after the upward and downward movements of the arms are repeated twenty times, for example.

A fourth exercise can be performed in a standing position in which the arms are held straight downwardly and close together at the back of the user. In such position of the arms the hand grip H is grasped by one hand and the hand grip i2 is grasped by the other hand so as to hold the rod it close to the user. The hands are moved from one another to bring the arms to an outstretched sideways position at shoulder high level, and upon the return stroke the arms are brought back to the initial downward position. The exercise just described strengthens and develops the muscles of the upper parts of the sides of the back and sides of the chest; and, while the exercise is being performed, the hand grip 1'2 squeezed so that the muscles of these parts of the user will tire slightly after the upward and downward movements of the arms are repeated about twentytiines, for example.

An efiective arm exercise can be performed with the exercising device of the invention by placing the left foot .on a chair and grasping the hand grip l2 with the left hand While resting the right leg 'is kept straight. :stroke the hand grip I2 is moved upwardly totheleft elbow on thelef-t knee. Whi-lein the positionv just described, the user grasps the hand grip ;II with the right hand and moves the right arm back .and forth in what might be referred .to as a sawing motion. While the right arm is being moved back and forth, the hand grip i2 is squeezed to produce a braking action which resists the back and forth movement of the right arm. Afterrepeating the backand forth strokes of the right arm, the same exercise may be performed by placing the right foot on a chair and grasping the hand grip 12 with the right hand while resting the right elbow on the right knee. In such position the user grasps the hand grip H in the left hand and saws back and forth with the left arm, the hand grip 52 being squeezed during such sawing motion to produce the desired sliding friction and braking action.

In Figs. 4 and 5, I have shown a detachable support it for fastening the exercising device of the invention to the free edge 29 of a door at a region adjacent the lower part thereof. The detachable support It comprises a pair of spaced apart plates 2! having openings for a bolt 22 which receives a threaded nut 23 for clamping the plates at the opposing faces of the door edge Zii. The portions of the plates 2| projecting from the door edge 20 are provided with openings to receive a pin 2 2, such pin being adapted to pass through an opening 25 formed at the extreme end of the rod 1 0 adjacent the fixed hand grip.

In using the detachable support just described the removable pin 24 is withdrawn from the openings in one of the plates 2| and, after it is .insorted through the opening 25 in the rod it, the pin is again positioned in the opening from which it was withdrawn. The door to which the support is to be attached is opened to the most convenient position for performing exercises with the exercising device. With the rod lil pivotally mounted on the pin 24, the plates 2i are clamped .to the opposin faces of the free door edge 29, at the extreme bottom region thereof, by tightening the threaded nutZB on the bolt 22. When the support is clamped in position the bolt 22 desirably should be positioned snugly against the free door edge, as seen in Fig. 6.

The detachable support it forms a rigid clamping device which permits another group of exercises to be performed with the exercising device of the invention while the rod 10 is pivotally mounted on the pin 24. In the event the door tends to swing or move while exercises are being performed, it may be possible in some instances. as when the floor is covered with a rug, for example, to clamp the detachable support on the door at. a suitable angle so that it presses against the floor in frictional contact therewith and maintains the door in the desired position. When the detachable support itself cannot be employed as a door wedge, a separate door wedge can be employed to maintain the door in a. fixed open position.

One exercise in this group, which might be referred to as a general body exercise, can be performed by grasping the movable hand grip H with both hands. While the left foot is positioned well forward of the right foot of the user, the hand grip H is moved downwardly toward 'the pivotal connection at the pin 26. During such downward stroke of the hand grip I2, the latter is maintained in sliding friction with the rod It, the left knee'of the user bending while On the upward ward the enlarged end I4 of the rod I0. The hand grip I2 is squeezed during both the downward and upward strokes so that the user will tire slightly after these strokes are repeated a number of times, such as twenty times, for example. In the exercise just described the rod I is positioned at the right side of the user. The exercise can also be performed by positioning the right foot well forward of the left foot and allowing the right knee to bend on the downward strokes while keeping the left leg straight. In such case the rod I I is positioned at the left side of the user while the exercise is being performed.

Another exercise can be performed in this second group by kneeling on the floor and facing the pivotal connection 24 at a distance of about two feet therefrom. While the hand grip I2 is grasped with both hands and the arms are kept straight, the hand grip I2 is moved downwardly to the fixed hand grip II while maintaining the former in sliding friction with the rod II]. On the upward return stroke the hand grip I2 is moved on the rod I0 without sliding friction. This exercise may be repeated twenty times, for example, and is particularly beneficial for developing the muscles of the abdomen and chest of the user.

A third exercise can be performed in a kneeling position on the floor while the right side of the user is adjacent the detachable support and spaced therefrom. In such sideways position the hand grip I2 is grasped with the right hand, and, while the right arm is kept straight, the movable hand grip is squeezed and forced downwardly to the fixed hand grip I I. Upon the upward return stroke the hand grip I2 is moved upwardly as far as possible, such return stroke being effected while maintaining the movable hand grip under some sliding friction contact with the rod III. The exercise just described can be performed with the left hand, while the left side of the user is adjacent the detachable support, and is useful in developing the muscles of the sides of the body and under the arms of the user.

A fourth exercise can be performed in a sitting position while facing the pivotal connection 24, the legs of the user being straight and the feet positioned at the vicinity of the pivotal connection. With the rod II) closely adjacent to the right side of the user the hand grip I2 is grasped with both hands. The hand grip I2 is squeezed with considerable force by the hands and pushed toward the feet of the user. With the hand grip I2 in relatively light sliding friction with the rod III, the hand grip is moved outwardly on the rod I0 upon the return stroke, the user moving as far back as possible in the sitting position. This exercise can be repeated twenty times, for example, and then performed with the rod I0 closely adjacent the left side of the user, the exercise being especially suitable as a waist conditioner.

A fifth exercise can be performed in a stand ing position in which the user is facing the elongated rod. While the elbows are bent and the hands are close to the body of the user, the movable hand grip I2 is grasped with both hands. With the hand grip I2 in relatively strong sliding friction with the rod I 0, the hand grip is moved upward and downward on the rod III for a considerable distance. This exercise, which can be repeated a number of times, is excellent for developing the arms and shoulders.

A sixth exercise can be performed in a standing position in which the back of the user is at the vicinity of and more or less directly above the pivotal connection 24, the heels being fairly close to the plane in which the rod I0 is angularly movable but positioned well apart from one another. With the elongated rod I0 extending upwardly between the legs of the user, the movable hand grip I2 is grasped with both hands. While both arms are kept straight, the hand grip I2 is moved downwardly on the rod between the legs and thence upwardly toward the enlarged end I4 of the rod. The upward and downward strokes are performed while maintaining the hand grip in sliding friction with the rod III. The exercise desirably should be repeated until the back feels tired and is particularly useful in developing the back and abdomen of the user.

A seventh exercise can be performed in a standing position with the back of the user more or less directly above the pivotal connection 24. With the feet spread well apart and the elongated rod Ill at the back of the user, the hand grip I2 is grasped with both hands, the arms being held straight downward. The user now squats and rises while squeezing the hand grip I2 with considerable force, and during such downward and upward movement the user desirably leans forward slightly to maintain proper balance. Further, the feet preferably should remain flat while the exercise is being performed. The exercise is especially useful for developing the hips and legs and desirably should be performed until the legs tire.

The foregoing exercises that have been described, some of which can be performed without connecting the exercising device to a support and others of which ar performed when one end of the elongated rod is hinged or pivotally connected to a support, are representative exercises that can be performed which cover all of the important muscles of the body. Irrespective of whether the elongated rod I0 is hinged at one end thereof to a support or both hand grips II and I2 are grasped by the user, the exercising device in each instance in effect is held at one region thereof and the movable hand grip I2 is slidable on the rod toward and from such region. Since the exercising device is of simplified construction and inexpensive to manufacture, an individual desiring to keep in good physical condition can do so with the aid of a single exercising device like that shown and described without the needless expense and necessity of procuring many different kinds of exercising equipment.

When not in use the exercising device can easily be stored in an out of way place. Since no preliminary adjustments are necessary to regulate the resistive force that must be overcome by the user when sliding movement is imparted to the movable hand grip, all members of a household, irrespective of size and strength, can use the exercising device and obtain maximum exercising benefit therefrom. This is so because the user can always vary the squeezing force on the movable hand grip when the latter is being moved along the elongated rod, thereby individually controllin the effort required to overcome the sliding friction or resistive force produced. The exercising device of the invention is characterized by the absence of resilient means or springs whose tension varies or changes with sliding movement of the movable hand grip, thereby enabling the muscles of the body to be exercised not only by stretching action but also by squeezing action.

Although the leverage effect referred to above in connection with the first exercise described herein has not been referred to in subsequently described exercises, it will be understood that in performing any exercise th extent to which the movable hand grip is squeezed will vary in different positions of the user depending upon the natural leverage efiect developed by different parts of the body, so that the desired resistive force is always produced which will give optimum benefit from the exercise and enable the exercises to be performed comfortably without excessive effort at the beginning of an exercise.

Although I have shown and described a particular embodiment of my invention, 1' do not desire to be limited to the particular arrangement set forth. For example, the elongated rod may be formed of several sections and screwed or otherwis connected in end to end relation. Also, the elongated rod may be hinged or pivotally connected to a hook or other suitable fastening member secured to a wall adjacent the floor. Therefore, I intend in the following claims to cover all changes and modifications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of my invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An exercising device characterized by the absence of springs which comprises an elongated rod of suificient length for a user to grasp the opposite ends thereof with the hands when the arms are held substantially straight and horizontally outstretched sideways from the body, means providing a fixed hand grip at one end of said rod, a movable hand grip on said rod which is slidable thereon. between a region at the opposite end thereof and a region immediately adjacent said fixed hand grip means, said rod having an essentially smooth exterior surface and being free of any physical obstruction tending to interfere with sliding movement imparted to said movable hand grip, said movable hand grip comprising a body of compressible material havin an inner face or lining of essentially non-elastic material which is disposed about and acts directly against said rod, said inner face, when sliding movement is imparted to said movable hand grip, passing smoothly over the exterior surface of said rod while in contact therewith when said body of compressible material is not sbjected to appreciable sqeezing force by the user, and said movable hand grip, when sliding movement is imparted thereto, being capable of counteracting such movement at will to a varying degree solely by sliding friction between the inner face and said rod in accordance with the magnitude of the squeezing force applied to said body of compressible material by the user while in the act of slidin said movable hand grip.

2. An exercising device as set forth in claim 1 in which said inner face or lining is formed of pliable material and the body of compressible material is formed of a resilient material including rubber.

3. An exercising device as set forth in claim 1 in which said body of compressible material comprises woven fabric whose inner surface acts against said rod and forms said inner face or lining.

l. An exercising device as set forth in claim 3 in which said movable hand grip includes an outer sleeve of rubber or similar resilient material disposed about said body of compressible material.

5. An exercising device characterized by the absence of springs which comprises an elongated rod of sufficient length for a user tov grasp the opposite ends thereof with the hands when the arms are held substantially straight and horizontally outstretched sideways from the body, means providing a fixed hand grip atone end of said rod, a movable hand grip on said rodwhich is slidable theron between a region at the opposite end thereof and a region immediately adjacent said fixed hand grip means, said rod having an essentially smooth exterior surface and being free of any physical obstruction tending to interfere with sliding movement imparted to said movable hand grip, said movable hand grip comprising several layers of pliable material which are disposed about said rod and the inner layer of which acts directly against said rod, the inner layer of said pliable material, when sliding move.- ment is imparted to said movable hand grip, passing smoothly over the exterior surface of said rod while in contact therewith when the several layers of said material are not subjected to appreciable squeezing force by the user, and said pliable material, when sliding movement is imparted to said movable hand grip, being capable of counteracting such movement at will to a varying degree solely by sliding friction between the inner layer of said pliable material and said rod in accordance with the magnitude of the squeezing force applied to the several layers of said pliable material by the'user while in the act of sliding said movable hand grip.

6. An exercising device as set forth inclaim 5 in which the several layers of pliable material are formed of Woven fabric.

7. An exercising device as set forth in claim 6 in which the pliable material is formed of terry cloth.

8. An exercising device as set forth in claim 5 in which the several layers of pliable material are formed of Woven fabric spirally wound about said rod.

9. An exercising device as set forth in claim 5 in which said movable hand grip includes an outer sleeve of rubber or similar resilient material disposed about said several layers of pliable material.

10. An exercising device which comprises an elongated rod of sufficient length for a user to grasp the opposite ends thereof with the hands when the arms are held substantially straight and horizontally outstretched sideways from the body, means providing a fixed hand grip at one end of said rod, a movable hand grip on said rod which is slidable thereon between a-region at the opposite end thereof and a region immediately adjacent said fixed hand grip means, said rod having an essentially smooth exterior surface, said movable hand grip comprising a body which yields when subjected to squeezing force by the user and including several layers of material which are disposed about said rod, the inner layer being pliable and having one side thereof acting directly against said rod and the opposite side thereof in face to face relation with the adjacent layer which is disposed about the inner layer, the inner layer of pliable material, when sliding movement is imparted to said movable hand grip, passing smoothly over the exterior surface of said rod while in contact therewith when the several layers are not subjected to appreciable squeezing force by the user, and said movable hand grip, when sliding movement is imparted thereto, being capable of counteracting such movement at will to a varying degree solely by sliding friction between the inner layer of pliable material and said rod in accordance with the magnitude of the squeezing force applied to the several layers of material by the user while in the act of sliding said movable hand grip.

11. An exercising device characterized by the absence of springs which comprises an elongated rod, means for holding one end of said rod, a movable hand grip on said rod which is slidable thereon between a region at the opposite end thereof and a region immediately adjacent said holding means, said rod having an essentially smooth exterior surface and being free of any physical obstruction tending to interfere with sliding movement imparted to said movable hand grip, said movable hand grip comprising a body of compressible material having an inner face or lining of essentially non-elastic material which is disposed about and acts directly against said rod, said inner face, when sliding movement is imparted to said movable hand grip, passing smoothly over the exterior surface of said rod while in contact therewith when said body of compressible material is not subjected to appreciable squeezing force by th user, and said movable hand grip, when sliding movement i imparted thereto, being capable of counteracting such movement at will to a varying degree solely by sliding friction between the inner face and said rod in accordance with the magnitude of the squeezing force applied to said body of compressible material by the user while in the act of sliding said movable hand grip.

12. An exercising device characterized by the absence of springs which comprises an elongated rod, means for holding one end of said rod, a movable hand grip on said rod which is slidable thereon between a region at the opposite end thereof and a region immediately adjacent said holding means, said rod having an essentially smooth exterior surface and being free of any physical obstruction tending to interfere with sliding movement imparted to said movable hand grip, said movable hand grip comprising several layers of pliable material which are disposed about said rod and the inner layer of which acts directly against said rod, the inner layer of said pliable material, when sliding movement is imparted to said movable hand grip, passing smoothly over the exterior surface of-said rod while in contact therewith when the several layers of said material are not subjected to appreciable squeezing force by the user, and said pliable material, when sliding movement is imparted to said movable hand grip, being capable of counteracting such movement at will to a varying degree solely by sliding friction between the inner layer of said pliable material and said rod in accordance with the magnitude of the squeezing force applied to the several layers of said pliable material by the user while in the act of sliding said movable hand grip.

13. An exercising device which comprises an elongated rod, means for holding one end of said rod, a movable hand grip on said rod which is slidable thereon between a region at the opposite end thereof and a region immediately adjacent said holding means, said rod having an essentially smooth exterior surface, said movable hand grip comprising a body which yields when subjected to squeezing force by the user and including several layers of material which are disposed about said rod, the inner layer being pliable and having one side thereof acting directly against said rod and the opposite side thereof in face to face relation with the adjacent layer which is disposed about the inner layer, the inner layer of pliable material, when sliding movement is imparted to said movable hand grip, passing smoothly over the exterior surface of said rod while in contact therewith when the several layers are not subjected to appreciable squeezing force by the user, and said movable hand grip, when sliding movement is imparted thereto, being capable of counteracting such movement at will to a varying degree solely by sliding friction between the inner layer of pliable material and said rod in accordance with the magnitude of the squeezing force applied to the several layers of material by the user while in the act of sliding said movable hand grip.

SAMUEL E. OLMSTEAD.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 263,775 Emmert Sept. 5, 1882 599,359 Rockwell Feb. 22, 1898 600,260 Elder Mar. 8, 1898 799,270 Roland Sept. 12, 1905 1,707,791 Anderson Apr. 2, 1929 1,868,262 Staler July 19, 1932 2,475,667 Jackson July 12, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 24,295 Great Britain 1899 84,925 Switzerland May 1, 1920 282,338 Germany Mar. 14, 1914 550,961 Great Britain 1943 

